What do I have to do to receive workers’ compensation benefits?

Workers’ compensation benefits are provided to those who are injured on the job in an attempt to provide for lost income, medical expenses, and other related costs. To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, certain criteria must be met and actions must be performed.

Injuries covered by Workers’ Compensation

The most difficult part of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits may simply be that you must have received an injury/illness (which will be simply referred to as an injury for the remainder of this article) as a direct result of your employment.

A covered injury is not simply any injury that just happened to occur while you were at work. For example, catching the flu from your coworkers or receiving a paper cut while putting away files are not considered covered injuries. These are considered injuries that could happen to anyone on any given day.
Rather, the injury must be directly related to your job responsibilities. For example, the following would be considered typical workers’ compensation injuries:

- Lifting heavy equipment that results in a back injury
- Slipping on a wet surface that results in a broken leg
- Working with a computer that results in carpal tunnel syndrome

Notify your employer of your work injury

You must tell your employer that you were injured and the details as to how the injury happened. If you do not inform your employer of the injury in a timely manner—typically with 30 days for an injury or 2 years for a disease—you may lose your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits stemming from the injury.

Before you notify your employer that you have been injured, please seek medical attention. It is acceptable and expected that you will seek medical attention immediately when you are injured at work. Obtaining medical attention to address your injury will not hamper your ability to obtain workers’ compensation benefits for your injury.

Complete claim for workers’ compensation

You must complete an Employee Claim Form (C-3) and submit it to the Workers’ Compensation Board. This form must be submitted to the Board within two years of your injury or you may lose your right to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.

Take steps to recover from your work injury

The process for your recovery and return to work (assuming you are not permanently disabled) will vary depending on the nature of your injury. In general, you should follow the advice and treatment prescribed by your doctor to address your injury. In addition, you should attend any investigative meetings where you are asked to appear related to fully understanding the cause of your injury.

Should I hire a work comp attorney if I am injured on the job?

Yes, if you have been injured on the job, it is in your best interest to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney to be sure you receive what is rightfully yours. While insurance companies may appear to be willing to compensate you for your injuries and related expenses, remember that it is in the insurance company’s best interest to pay as little money as is possible. Therefore, having a workers’ compensation attorney review your case to be sure you are receiving all the benefits to which you are entitled is simply the smart thing to do.
If you complete the short form below, a workers’ compensation attorney will review your case free of charge. This review is completely confidential and does not obligate you to anything further. So please get help today to be sure you get the help you need to receive your full workers’ compensation benefit.

by Beth L.

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